Entertainment

J. Law's All About Female Empowerment

by Kenya Foy

Some people might not exactly be into Jennifer Lawrence’s hilarious brand of candor, but I absolutely love it. Whether she’s waxing poetic about her raging digestive issues or preaching against fat-shaming critics in the entertainment industry who think she should slim down, I’m always anxiously awaiting her next verbal gem. A huge part of her appeal lies in the fact that she comes off as the polar opposite of pretentious and doesn’t take herself too seriously, despite being one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. (There’s also the fact that she counts herself as an unapologetic junk food and reality TV fan, which officially pushes her to the top of my list of would-be celebrity BFFs.) However, this is not to say that Lawrence doesn't broach more serious topics as well — for instance, J. Law's been known to drop feminist quotes and truth bombs in interviews time and again.

I find it virtually impossible to not love a girl who’s all about embracing what others may perceive as flaws, loving herself wholly, and empowering other women in the process (for instance: like the time she told Shailene Woodley to do Divergent !) It all represents a shining example of how Lawrence subscribes to feminism — because what’s more feminist than genuinely encouraging another woman to succeed?

Here are seven of Lawrence's most feminist quotes, because she realizes how crucial it is for women to be considered equals, whether she's addressing Hollywood's sexist attitude towards women, how women treat themselves or the behavior we all exhibit around our fellow female peers.

On Promoting More Body Positivity

During a Q&A with Yahoo!, Lawrence said, "We see this airbrushed perfect model … but you just have to look past it. … We [need to] stop treating each other like that, stop calling each other fat and stop with these unrealistic expectations for women. It’s disappointing that the media keeps it alive and fuels that fire."

On Hollywood "Mean Girls"

In an interview with Access Hollywood , Lawrence said, "I think that we are just so unsupportive. When I watch these shows and the media and I watch the women on these televisions shows pointing to these women and judging them and calling them ugly and calling them fat," She added, "It’s just like, where have we come? Why are we here? Why are we doing this to each other? Men were doing it hundreds of years ago and now we’ve turned around we we’re doing it to each other."

On Young Girls Being Sexualized In The Media

Lawrence told BBC's Newsnight , "It is a part of the entertainment industry that sells. Sex sells, and for some disgusting reason young sex sells even more."

On Being Pressured To Lose Weight For Roles

In that same BBC Newsnight interview, Lawrence added, "We have the ability to control this image that young girls are going to be seeing [in The Hunger Games]... girls see enough of this body that they will never be able to obtain," She continued, "It's an amazing opportunity to rid ourselves of that in this industry."

On Her Privacy Being Unimaginably Violated

Addressing the violation of privacy that included her personal, private images being posted publicly online without her consent, Lawrence told Vanity Fair , "It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting."

On Maintaining A Sense Of Individuality In Relationships

In an interview with Marie Claire, Lawrence said, "It’s important to keep your individuality when you’re a couple and keep your own life."

On Taking Charge Of Her Career

In an interview with W Magazine , Lawrence said, "There are actresses who build themselves, and then there are actresses who are built by others,” she said. “I want to build myself."Spoken like a true feminist champ, J. Law.

Images: Giphy (7)